Locking bolt for mounting a tool on a hydraulic press

ABSTRACT

A locking bolt for mounting a tool in a hydraulic press, it being possible for the locking bolt to move in a bolt receptacle between a locking position and a release position, with a securing element, which is located in the bolt receptacle and secures the locking position by positive engagement in the locking bolt, the locking bolt also having a securing portion, and the locking bolt being secured against movement into the release position when the securing element is located in the securing portion, characterized in that the locking bolt has a longitudinal groove, in that the securing portion is formed with a securing depth in any event corresponding to a groove depth of the longitudinal groove and in that the securing portion is formed such that it is adjacent to the longitudinal groove in the circumferential direction, with a direct transition from a groove base into the securing position.

The invention relates in the first instance to a locking bolt formounting a tool in a hydraulic press, it being possible for the lockingbolt to move in a bolt receptacle between a locking position and arelease position, with a securing element, which is located in the boltreceptacle and secures the locking position by positive engagement inthe locking bolt, the locking bolt also having a securing portion, andthe locking bolt being secured against movement into the releaseposition when the securing element is located in the securing portion.

Locking bolts of the type in question are known and serve for examplefor fixing pressing, cutting or similar tools in a hydraulic press, itbeing possible for the latter to be formed in such a way that it can beactuated electrically or else by means of a hand lever. For quicklychanging the tool to be put in position, a locking bolt of this type isformed as an push-in bolt. Reference is made to DE 101 10 882 A1. Thisdiscloses a locking bolt of this type which has a securing portionsimilar to an annular groove, formed coaxially in relation to thelongitudinal axis of the bolt. In the operating position, aspring-supported securing element disposed in the receiving neck of thepress enters into this securing portion. By pulling in the axialdirection of the locking bolt, the securing element is displaced backagainst the spring force over a run-up slope of the groove-like securingportion, whereby the locking bolt can be brought out of the operatingposition into a release position for changing the tool. This toolrelease position of the locking bolt is likewise secured by a furtherannular groove, which is disposed at the end, i.e. in the region of theend of the locking bolt that is opposite from the handle, and into whichthe securing element can enter. As a result of this known configuration,the locking bolt is captively secured on the press, in particular in theregion of its receiving neck, both in the tool securing position and inthe tool release position.

With regard to the prior art described above, it can be regarded as atechnical problem for the invention to improve further a locking bolt ofthe type in question, while providing simple handling with regard to thesecuring of the locking position.

This problem is solved in the first instance and substantially by thesubject-matter of Claim 1, it being provided that the locking bolt has alongitudinal groove, that the securing portion is formed with a securingdepth in any event corresponding to a groove depth of the longitudinalgroove and that the securing portion is formed such that it is adjacentto the longitudinal groove in the circumferential direction, with adirect transition from a groove base into the securing portion. As aresult of this configuration according to the invention, a locking boltwhich is distinguished by increased locking security is provided. Forinstance, the locking position can be achieved by sliding displacementof the locking bolt along its longitudinal axis and final rotation ofthe locking bolt. Accordingly, for unlocking the locking bolt, it isabsolutely necessary for the locking bolt first to be rotated in thecircumferential direction, in order to re-establish the relationship ofthe securing element with the longitudinal groove of the locking bolt.In the course of the longitudinal displacement of the locking bolt intothe locking position or into the release position, the locking bolt isguided in the longitudinal groove by engagement of the securing elementand thereby secured against rotation. In an advantageous manner, the endregion of the longitudinal groove associated with the securing portionmay be provided with a deflecting portion for the securing element,which urges the securing element that is guided by the longitudinalgroove into the securing portion that is adjacent to the longitudinalgroove with respect to the circumferential direction when the lockingbolt is pressed into the locking position. As a result of this, thesecuring position is automatically achieved by pressing in the lockingbolt. However, in the simplest way, the longitudinal groove may beformed in an L-shaped manner in outline in the region of the securingportion. To accomplish the securing position, a deliberate rotation ofthe locking bolt in the circumferential direction is required, wherebythe securing portion is brought into a relationship with the securingelement. In the case of this configuration according to the invention,the groove base of the longitudinal groove goes over steplessly into thebase of the securing portion, it also being possible for the securingelement to be formed as a rigid element, i.e. in particular not movablealong its longitudinal axis, for example in the form of a grub screw orthe like. This securing element is, moreover, preferably disposed in theregion of a fork leg of a fork-shaped receiving neck of the press andthereby protrudes into a bore guiding the locking bolt. It is furtherpreferred for the longitudinal groove of the locking bolt to be closedat the end, i.e. in the region of the end that is opposite from thesecuring portion, consequently for it to end at a distance from the freeend region of the locking bolt. As a result of this configuration, thelocking bolt is captively held on the press by constant engagement ofthe securing element in the longitudinal groove or in the securingportion. It is further preferred for the longitudinal groove to beformed on the underside of the locking bolt. Only compressive stressesoccur here during operation. The securing element is accordinglylikewise placed underneath the locking bolt.

The invention also relates to a locking bolt according to theprecharacterizing clause of Claim 1 or according to Claim 1, it beingproposed for further improvement of the locking position that thelocking bolt has a longitudinal groove and that the securing portion isformed such that it is offset in a step-like manner in relation to agroove base. As a result of this configuration, a locking bolt which isdistinguished by increased security of the locking position along withsimple handling is provided. The locking bolt is thereby always guidedby engagement of the securing element in the longitudinal groove of thelocking bolt, and rotationally secured at least in the path ofdisplacement. The securing position is achieved when the securingelement guided by the longitudinal groove reaches the securing portionof the locking bolt, the securing element being made to drop into thesecuring portion by the greater depth of the base of the securingportion than the base of the groove, it being preferred for an audibleclicking to be perceptible. After reaching the securing portion, thesecuring element can only be displaced into the longitudinal grooveagain by deliberate raising of the same to the level of the base of thegroove, after which the locking bolt is again released for beingdisplaced. The securing portion that is formed offset in a step-likemanner in relation to the base of the groove may in this case be formedas a direct transition to the longitudinal groove. Alternatively, thesecuring portion that is offset in a step-like manner may also be formedsuch that it is adjacent to the longitudinal groove in thecircumferential direction.

The further features are pertinent both in themselves and in combinationwith the subject-matter of Claim 1 as well as in combination with thesubject-matter of Claim 2. So, it is also proposed that the securingelement can be displaced against spring force. This configuration provesto be advantageous in particular in the case where the securing portionis disposed such that it is offset in a step-like manner with respect tothe groove base. A construction in which the securing portion is formedwith a run-up slope, for the movement of the securing element into asecuring element release position from which the displacement of thelocking bolt into a tool-removing/changing position can take place,proves to be advantageous, in particular in terms of handlingtechnology. The run-up slope is in this case formed in thecircumferential direction and/or axial direction of the locking bolt, arotation of the locking bolt in the circumferential direction beingadditionally required for directing the securing element onto the run-upslope, in order thereby to displace the securing element out of thedeeper base of the securing portion onto the higher groove base of thelongitudinal groove, offset in a step-like manner. It is also possiblein this case for the securing portion to be disposed as an extension ofthe longitudinal groove and for the run-up slope to be formed in aregion of the securing portion that is adjacent thereto. It isconsequently further proposed for the run-up slope to go over in thecircumferential direction into a returning portion, which is disposedwith further preference oppositely in the circumferential direction withrespect to the longitudinal groove than the securing portion. It mayalso be provided that the returning portion is formed such that itpartly overlaps in the longitudinal direction of the groove with theassociated end region of the longitudinal groove. For handling to besimplified further, it is proposed that the locking bolt isspring-biased into its opening position. Accordingly, in the securingposition of the locking bolt, the securing element is supported in theblocking portion of the securing portion as a result of thespring-loaded way in which the locking bolt is acted upon in thedirection of the opening position, which blocking portion may be thestep between the longitudinal groove and the securing portion or else awall region of the securing portion that is adjacent to the longitudinalgroove. This spring loading has the effect that the locking position isfurther secured against unwanted unlocking. With the longitudinal grooveand the securing portion disposed adjacent to each other, enforcedrotation of the locking bolt can also be achieved for pivoting thesecuring portion into the region of the securing element by provision ofa torsion spring or the like which acts on the securing bolt, so thatthe locking bolt is rotationally biased, with a rotating force in thedirection of the securing portion. For movement of the locking bolt outof the locking position into the release position, it is preferred for amovement in the direction of the locking position to be required, inorder hereafter to guide the securing element via the returning portionback into the longitudinal groove by means of a rotating movement of thelocking bolt in the circumferential direction. A further increase in thesecurity of the locking position is obtained by the securing elementbeing circumferentially separated in the locking position from thelongitudinal groove by a locking nose. This measure has the effect that,in the locking position, the locking bolt is rotationally secured, atleast in one direction, by the chosen rear engagement, which rotationalsecurement can only be discontinued by a movement of the locking bolt inthe direction of the locking position and subsequent rotation in thecircumferential direction. It is preferred for the securing portion tohave a detent depression, which is formed in the longitudinal directionof the longitudinal groove and goes over in the circumferentialdirection into the securing portion, which is disposed ahead of thedetent depression in the locking direction of the locking bolt. It mayalso be provided that the run-up slope, optionally together with thereturning portion, surrounds the detent depression, for example to forma spiral ramp for returning the securing element into the longitudinalgroove. Finally, it is proposed that the returning portion is in anyevent further elevated in a step-like manner in the transitional regionto the groove. In this way it is ensured that, in the course of thelocking, the securing element finds the securing portion and snaps inthere. Unintentional lateral deflection of the securing element onto thereturning portion by inadvertent turning when the locking bolt is beingpushed in is avoided as a result.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to theaccompanying drawings, which merely represent a number of exemplaryembodiments and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a partially sectioned side view of a press receiving neckwith a locking bolt in the secured locking position;

FIG. 1 a shows a part of FIG. 1, enlarged;

FIG. 2 shows the plan view of the representation in FIG. 1, a partialsection being taken through the securing region of the locking bolt;

FIG. 2 a shows part of FIG. 2, enlarged;

FIG. 2′ shows a representation according to FIG. 1, with further partsof the device in dotted lines, the locking bolt being in its releasedposition;

FIG. 2′a shows a part of FIG. 2′, enlarged;

FIG. 2″ shows the device according to FIG. 2′, in a front view;

FIG. 2″a shows part of FIG. 2″, enlarged;

FIG. 3 shows the locking bolt in a first embodiment in perspectiverepresentation, for an intermediate position in the course of thelocking of the same;

FIG. 4 shows a side view representation of the locking bolt, seen in thedirection of a longitudinal groove and a securing portion and also asecuring element guided in the longitudinal groove, for the intermediateposition according to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a representation turned through 90° about the longitudinalaxis of the locking bolt in comparison with the representation in FIG.4, partly in the region of the engagement of the securing element in thesecuring portion, in a sectioned representation;

FIG. 6 shows the section along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 shows a further perspective representation of the locking bolt,for the secured detent position of the same;

FIG. 8 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 4, but for theposition of the locking bolt according to FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows a sectional representation corresponding to FIG. 6, but forthe position according to FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10 shows the locking bolt in perspective representation, for anintermediate position in the course of the locking process;

FIG. 11 shows a side view for this;

FIG. 12 shows a sectional representation corresponding to FIG. 9, butfor the intermediate position according to FIGS. 10 and 11;

FIG. 13 shows a further sectional representation according to FIG. 9,but for the unlocking position;

FIG. 14 shows a perspective representation of the locking bolt in asecond embodiment, for the locking position;

FIG. 15 shows the side view representation for this;

FIG. 16 shows a partially sectioned representation, turned through 90°about the longitudinal axis of the locking bolt;

FIG. 17 shows the locking bolt in perspective representation, for anintermediate position in the course of the unlocking;

FIG. 18 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 15, but for theintermediate position according to FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 shows a follow-up representation of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 shows the side view representation for FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 shows a follow-up representation of FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 shows the corresponding side view representation for this;

FIG. 23 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 16, but for theintermediate position according to FIGS. 21 and 22;

FIG. 24 shows a perspective representation of a locking bolt in a thirdembodiment, for the locking position;

FIG. 25 shows the side view representation for FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 shows a partially sectioned side view representation accordingto FIG. 23, but for the embodiment according to FIGS. 24 and 25;

FIG. 27 shows the section along the line XXVII-XXVII in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 shows a perspective representation of the locking bolt accordingto FIG. 24, but in an intermediate position in the course of theunlocking process;

FIG. 29 shows the side view representation for this;

FIG. 30 shows a follow-up representation of FIG. 28;

FIG. 31 shows the side view representation for FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 26, but for theintermediate position according to FIG. 30;

FIG. 33 shows the section along the line XXXIII-XXXIII in FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 shows a follow-up representation of FIG. 30;

FIG. 35 shows the side view representation for this;

FIG. 36 shows a cross-sectional representation according to FIG. 33, butfor the position according to FIGS. 34 and 35;

FIG. 37 shows a perspective representation of a locking bolt in thelocking position, for a further embodiment;

FIG. 38 shows the side view representation for FIG. 37, seen in thedirection of the longitudinal groove;

FIG. 39 shows a partially sectioned side view representation accordingto FIG. 32, but for the embodiment according to FIG. 35;

FIG. 40 shows the section along the line XL-XL in FIG. 39;

FIG. 41 shows a perspective representation according to FIG. 37, but foran intermediate position in the course of the unlocking process;

FIG. 42 shows the side view representation for this;

FIG. 43 shows a cross-sectional representation according to FIG. 40, butfor the intermediate position according to FIGS. 41 and 42;

FIG. 44 shows a follow-up representation of FIG. 41;

FIG. 45 shows the side view representation for this; FIG. 46 shows across-sectional representation corresponding to FIG. 43, but for theintermediate position according to FIGS. 44 and 45;

FIG. 47 shows a follow-up representation of FIG. 44;

FIG. 48 shows the side view representation for this;

FIG. 49 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 39, butcorresponding to the intermediate position according to for FIGS. 47 and48;

FIG. 50 shows the cross-section along the line L-L in FIG. 49;

FIG. 51 shows a locking bolt in a further embodiment, in perspectiverepresentation;

FIG. 52 shows an enlargement of the region LII in FIG. 51.

FIGS. 1 and 2 do show(s) a receiving neck 1 of a hydraulic press, whichpress is shown further in a sight elevation in FIG. 2″.

FIG. 2′ is a respective view from the upper side of the embodiment ofFIG. 2″ and FIG. 2′a an enlarged view of FIG. 2′. The hydraulic presscan be actuated electrically. The receiving neck 1 is configured in thecustomary fork-shaped manner, with a bolt receptacle 4 in the form of athrough-bore, passing through the fork legs 2, 3 transversely inrelation to the extent of the neck. A locking bolt 5 is secured in thisbolt receptacle 4.

The receiving neck 1 serves for fixing a tool to be mounted on thepress, for example for pressing. The tool is not represented in thedrawings.

The tool can be exchangeably fixed on the press or on its receiving neck1, so that other tools, such as cutting tools for example, can also beput in position.

As the partial sectional representation in FIG. 1 reveals in particular,in the locking position, the locking bolt 5 passes through the boltreceptacle 4 of the fork leg 2 on the actuation side and bores 6 formedin the tool and, at the end, enters the bolt receptacle 4 of the otherfork leg 3 for locking the tool.

The locking bolt 5 can be displaced along its locking bolt axis y,running transversely in relation to the receiving neck axis x, from alocking position according to FIGS. 1 and 2 into a release position, andvice versa, both the release position and the locking position beingsecured by means of a securing element 7.

The securing element 7, as one can see in more detail from FIGS. 1, 1 aand 2″a, is displaceably accommodated in a bore 8 in the region of theone fork leg 2, aligned transversely in relation to the locking boltaxis y and crossing through the bolt receptacle 4. The disposition isfurther chosen here in such a way that the securing element 7 lies inthe portion of the bore 8 that is remote from the free end of thereceiving neck 1 such that it is rearwardly supported by means of acompression spring 9, and consequently acts by means of the compressionspring 9 in the direction of the locking bolt 5.

For locking the locking bolt, the pin-like securing element 7 is locatedin a securing portion 10, which can be seen in more detail also fromFIG. 2 a, which is formed in the circumferential surface of the lockingbolt 5 and, for displacing the locking bolt 5 into a tool releaseposition, goes over into a longitudinal groove 11 which is open on theside representing the wall of the circumferential surface. In the courseof the opening displacement of the locking bolt 5, the fixed securingelement 7 is guided by the longitudinal groove 11, which at the end endsat a distance from the free end 12 of the locking bolt 5, andconsequently forms in cooperation with the securing element 7 a stop inthe unlocking position. As a result of this, the locking bolt 5 iscaptively secured on the receiving neck 1.

The locking bolt 5 is spring-biased in the opening direction, i.e. inthe direction of the tool release position, for which purpose thelocking bolt 5 is acted upon in the region of an externally accessiblehandling head 13, from the underside, by a compression spring 15, whichis located in an associated depression 14 which is coaxial in relationto the locking bolt 5.

FIGS. 3 to 13 show a first embodiment of the locking bolt 5. For betterillustration, in the drawings of this embodiment and also in those ofthe further exemplary embodiments, only the interacting locking bolts 5and securing elements 7 are shown. The respective local disposition ofthese two elements can be gathered from FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the first embodiment, the securing portion 10 is formed such that itis located adjacent to the longitudinal groove 11 in the circumferentialdirection of the locking bolt 5, with a direct transition from a groovebase 16 into the securing portion 10. The securing depth of the securingportion 10 corresponds to the groove depth of the longitudinal groove11.

Accordingly, in the end region opposite from the bolt end 12, thelongitudinal groove 11 goes over directly into the securing portion 10.The end face 17 of the longitudinal groove 11 that is facing thehandling head 13 extends at an obtuse angle in relation to thelongitudinal marginal edges of the longitudinal groove 11 to form acontrol surface. When there is longitudinal displacement of the lockingbolt 5 in the direction of the locking position (arrow a indicates thepushing-in locking direction), this control end face 17 of thelongitudinal groove 11 comes up against the fixed, pin-like securingelement 7, which, when there is further pushing-in movement of thelocking bolt 5, causes a rotation of the same, so that the securingportion 10 is turned into the effective region of the securing element7. In this position, the end 12 of the locking bolt 5 already lies inthe bolt receptacle 4 of the opposite fork leg 3.

After letting go the locking bolt 5, it is displaced back again, counterto the pushing-in locking direction a, on account of the compressionspring 15 acting upon it from the underside, until a blocking surface 18of the securing portion 10 that is adjacent to the longitudinal groove11 comes up against the securing element 7. The locking bolt 5 is thensecured in the locking position. This securing position is furthersupported by the fact that the securing element 7 is circumferentiallyseparated from the longitudinal groove 11 by a locking nose 19, whichpoints in the direction in which the compression spring acts, i.e. inthe direction of the handling head 13, and consequently provides therear engagement with respect to the longitudinal groove 11. As a resultof the formation of the locking nose 19, the secured locking cannot bediscontinued by simple, in particular unintentional, turning back of thelocking bolt 5, which would have the result that the longitudinal groove11 is found again by the securing element.

Rather, as FIGS. 10 to 13 show, a deliberate turning of the locking bolt5 in the circumferential direction, deliberate since it overcomes theforce of the compression spring 15, is necessary to bring the lockingnose 19 past the securing element 7 and, finally, to bring thelongitudinal groove 11 back into a relationship with the securingelement 7. After this, to release the tool, the locking bolt 5 can bedrawn back until it is in a stop position predefined by the end of thegroove.

In the case of this first embodiment, the securing element 7 may beformed as a fixed pin, i.e. without rear spring biasing.

FIGS. 14 to 23 show a second embodiment of the locking bolt 5 accordingto the invention. A major difference in comparison with the exemplaryembodiment previously described is that here the securing portion 10 isformed such that it is offset in a step-like manner in relation to thegroove base 16, so that in the course of the locking process, i.e. whenthere is displacement of the locking bolt 5 in the pushing-in lockingdirection a, the securing element 7 guided by the longitudinal groove 11is made to drop at the end into the securing portion 10—by being actedupon from the rear by means of the compression spring 9—and therebycomes to lie in a locking manner in front of a blocking surface 18formed in the region of the step.

In the exemplary embodiment represented, the base 20 of the securingportion corresponds approximately to twice the depth of the groove base.

Furthermore, in the second exemplary embodiment represented, thesecuring portion 10 is disposed as an extension of the longitudinalgroove 11. A further portion, formed adjacent to the securing portion10, serves for returning the securing element 7 to the level of thegroove base 16. This returning portion 21 is formed such that it partlyoverlaps in the longitudinal direction of the groove with the associatedend region of the longitudinal groove, which goes over into the securingportion 10.

Extending from the base 20 of the securing portion, there extends in thecircumferential direction a run-up slope 22, which opens out into thereturning portion 21.

For secured locking of the locking bolt 5, the latter is moved in thecustomary way in the pushing-in locking direction a, until the securingelement 7 drops behind the blocking surface 18 into the securing portion10. After letting go the locking bolt 5, the latter is supported withits blocking surface 18 against the securing element 7, an outlineconfiguration of the blocking surface 18 in the form of a segment of acircle having the effect of forming a locking nose 19, which preventsunintentional turning of the locking bolt 5.

Unlocking is only possible deliberately, by the locking bolt 5 beingturned in the circumferential direction, the support of the locking nose19 against the securing element 7 having the effect that a lineardisplacement of the locking bolt 5 counter to the opening direction,i.e. in the pushing-in locking direction a, is first carried out, afterwhich the run-up slope 22 is brought into a relationship with thesecuring element 7. The deliberate turning of the locking bolt 5 has theeffect that the securing element 7 is displaced against the force of thecompression spring 9 acting upon the rear of the latter, over the run-upslope 22 up to the level of the returning portion 21.

From this no longer detent-secured position, the compression spring 15acting upon the locking bolt 5 first brings about a linear displacementin the opening direction until a returning slope 23 of the returningportion 21, supporting itself on the securing element 7, brings about aturning back of the locking bolt 5, after which finally the longitudinalgroove 11 engages the securing element 7 again. After that, the lockingbolt 5 is linearly displaced under the action of the compression springinto the release position.

As a result of this configuration, the locking element 7 is brought fromthe lower-level securing portion 10 via the run-up slope 22 and thereturning portion 21 back to the higher-level longitudinal groove 11 bydeliberate turning of the locking bolt 5 in the figurative sense.

FIGS. 24 to 36 show a third embodiment of the locking bolt 5. In thisvariant, too, a step is provided at the transition from the longitudinalgroove 11 to the securing portion 10, so that the base 20 of thesecuring portion has a lower level than the groove base 16. By contrastwith the exemplary embodiment previously described, this lower-levelportion is formed merely as a detent depression 24, to which the actualsecuring portion 10 is adjacent. As a result of this configuration, thesecuring portion 10 is disposed such that it is adjacent to thelongitudinal groove 11 in the circumferential direction or to animaginary extension of the same.

The securing element 7 dropping into the detent depression 24 underspring bias in the course of the locking is deflected in the region ofthe detent depression 24 over a run-down slope 25 into the securingportion 10, which, by virtue of the fixed mounting of the securingelement 7, has the consequence of an automatic turning of the lockingbolt 5 after capture of the securing element 7 in the securing portion10. As a result of this, the locking bolt 5 automatically finds thesecured locking position. In this position, the locking bolt 5 issupported by means of the blocking surface 18 of the securing portion 10on the securing element 7.

For unlocking, pressing in of the locking bolt 5 in the pushing-inlocking direction a and subsequent turning of the locking bolt 5 in thecircumferential direction of the same is necessary, in order in this wayto bring the securing element 7 back on the higher-level groove base 16.The step-like detent depression 24 has the effect that an attempt merelyto turn the locking bolt 5 out of the locking position does not lead todiscontinuation of the secured locking position.

Pressing in of the locking bolt 5 in the pushing-in locking direction ahas the effect that a run-up slope 22 is brought into the effectiveregion of the securing element 7, by means of which run-up slope 22 thesecuring element 7 is brought onto the returning portion 21, by means ofwhich the feeding to the longitudinal groove 11 takes place.

As the representations reveal, the run-up slope 22 and the returningportion 21 thereby surround the detent depression 24 spirally, therun-up slope 22 continuing to be associated with the region of thesecuring portion 10 that is facing the handling head 13 and thereturning portion 21 continuing to be disposed oppositely in thecircumferential direction with respect to the longitudinal groove 11than the securing portion 10.

With respect to the side view representations in FIGS. 25, 29, 31 and35, the securing element 7 completes a relative spiral path of movementaround the detent depression 24 from the locking position according toFIG. 25. As a result of this configuration, the securing portion 10,run-up slope 22 and returning portion 21 act in the manner of a slidinglink.

Shown in FIGS. 37 to 48 is a further embodiment, in which the securingportion 10 is disposed such that it is offset in a step-like manner asan extension of the longitudinal groove 11. Pressing in of the lockingbolt 5 has the effect that the secured locking position is automaticallyassumed, by the blocking surface 18, forming the step between thelongitudinal groove 11 and the securing portion 10, supporting itselfagainst the securing element 7.

The discontinuation of this locking position takes place by pressing thelocking bolt in the pushing-in locking direction a and subsequentturning of the locking bolt 5 in the circumferential direction, so thatthe higher-lying level of the groove base 16 can be reached by means ofa run-up slope 22, extending in the circumferential direction, and areturning portion 21, adjoining said run-up slope and disposed such thatit is adjacent to the securing portion 10, the securing element 7resiliently entering the bore 8, as also in the case of the exemplaryembodiments previously described. In the case of this embodiment, too,the returning portion 21 is formed such that it partly overlaps in thelongitudinal direction of the groove with the associated end region ofthe longitudinal groove.

After pressing in the locking bolt 5 and turning the same, the securedlocking is already discontinued, so that the compression spring 15,supporting the locking bolt 5, causes the displacement of the lockingbolt 5 into the release position, this occurring, as a consequence ofthe returning slope 23 of the returning portion 21 that is pointing inthe direction of the longitudinal groove 11, with simultaneous turningback of the locking bolt 5 into the neutral pivoted position, in whichthe securing element 7 is accommodated in the longitudinal groove 11.

Finally, FIGS. 51 and 52 show a further version, which corresponds insubstantial parts to the embodiment previously described according toFIGS. 24 to 36. As the enlarged representation in FIG. 52 reveals inparticular, in this embodiment, only the returning portion 21 is howeverfurther elevated in a step-like manner in the transitional region to thelongitudinal groove 11, so that, after running over the returningportion 21, the securing element 7 reliably drops into the longitudinalgroove 11 with spring assistance. In addition, unintentional lateraldeflection of the securing element 7 onto the returning portion 21 byinadvertent turning when the locking bolt 5 is being pushed in to fix atool is avoided as a result of this configuration. Rather, no turning ofthe locking bolt 5 about its longitudinal axis is possible beforereaching the securing position, in which the securing element 7, leavingthe longitudinal groove 11, engages in the securing portion 10.

All features disclosed are (in themselves) pertinent to the invention.The disclosure content of the associated/attached priority documents(copy of the prior patent application) is also hereby incorporated infull in the disclosure of the application, including for the purpose ofincorporating features of these documents in claims of the presentapplication.

1. Locking bolt (5) for mounting a tool in a hydraulic press, it beingpossible for the locking bolt (5) to move in a bolt receptacle (4)between a locking position and a release position, with a securingelement (7), which is located in the bolt receptacle (4) and secures thelocking position by positive engagement in the locking bolt (5), thelocking bolt (5) also having a securing portion (10), and the lockingbolt (5) being secured against movement into the release position whenthe securing element (7) is located in the securing portion (10),characterized in that the locking bolt (5) has a longitudinal groove(11), in that the securing portion (10) is formed with a securing depthin any event corresponding to a groove depth of the longitudinal groove(11) and in that the securing portion (10) is formed such that it isadjacent to the longitudinal groove (11) in the circumferentialdirection, with a direct transition from a groove base (16) into thesecuring portion (10).
 2. Locking bolt according to theprecharacterizing clause of claim 1 or according to claim 1,characterized in that the locking bolt (5) has a longitudinal groove(11) and in that the securing portion (10) is formed such that it isoffset in a step-like manner in relation to a groove base (16). 3.Locking bolt according to one or more of the preceding claims or inparticular according thereto, characterized in that the securing element(7) can be displaced against spring force.
 4. Locking bolt according toone or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto,characterized in that the securing portion (10) is formed with a run-upslope (22) for the movement of the securing element (7) into a securingelement release position.
 5. Locking bolt according to one or more ofthe preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterizedin that the run-up slope (22) is formed in the circumferential directionand/or axial direction of the locking bolt (5).
 6. Locking boltaccording to one or more of the preceding claims or in particularaccording thereto, characterized in that the run-up slope (22) goes overin the circumferential direction into a returning portion (21). 7.Locking bolt according to one or more of the preceding claims or inparticular according thereto, characterized in that the returningportion (21) is disposed oppositely in the circumferential directionwith respect to the longitudinal groove (11) than the securing portion(10).
 8. Locking bolt according to one or more of the preceding claimsor in particular according thereto, characterized in that the returningportion (21) is formed such that it partly overlaps in the longitudinaldirection of the groove with the associated end region of thelongitudinal groove.
 9. Locking bolt according to one or more of thepreceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized inthat the locking bolt (5) is spring-biased into its opening position.10. Locking bolt according to one or more of the preceding claims or inparticular according thereto, characterized in that the locking bolt (5)is biased in a rotating manner, with a rotating force in the directionof the securing portion (10).
 11. Locking bolt according to one or moreof the preceding claims or in particular according thereto,characterized in that, for movement of the locking bolt (5) out of thelocking position into the release position, first a movement (arrow a)in the direction of the locking position is required.
 12. Locking boltaccording to one or more of the preceding claims or in particularaccording thereto, characterized in that, in the locking position, thesecuring element (7) is circumferentially separated from thelongitudinal groove (11) by a locking nose (19).
 13. Locking boltaccording to one or more of the preceding claims or in particularaccording thereto, characterized in that the securing portion (10) has adetent depression (24), which is formed in the longitudinal direction ofthe longitudinal groove (11) and goes over in the circumferentialdirection into the securing portion (10), which is disposed ahead of thedetent depression (24) in the locking direction (arrow a) of the lockingbolt (5).
 14. Locking bolt according to one or more of the precedingclaims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that therun-up slope (22), optionally together with the returning portion (21),surrounds the detent depression (24).
 15. Locking bolt according to oneor more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto,characterized in that the returning portion (21) is in any event furtherelevated in a step-like manner in the transitional region to thelongitudinal groove (11).